Hreðel, Proto-Norse *Hrōþilaz or *Hrōþila [1], was the king of the Geats, in Beowulf. He was the grand-son of Swerting and he had the sons Hæþcyn, Herebeald and Hygelac. He also had a daughter who married Ecgþeow and had the son Beowulf.
Hreðel died of grief when his oldest son Herebeald was killed by his own brother Hæþcyn in a hunting accident, a death that could not be avenged. He was succeeded by Hæþcyn.
Last updated: 05-06-2005 19:11:16